Manipur: Three killed in fresh violence in Kangpokpi district

• Image Credit: Google

• Sep 12, 2023 | Dhupali Das

Violence once again gripped Manipur's Kangpokpi district, claiming the lives of at least three individuals on...

Digital Desk: Violence once again gripped Manipur's Kangpokpi district, claiming the lives of at least three individuals on Tuesday. The incident, which occurred at around 8:30 a.m., involved a gun battle between Ireng and Karam Vaiphei villages.

Reportedly, armed miscreants were responsible for the fatal shooting of the three victims. Following the eruption of violence, a swift response from security forces led to the deployment of heavy security personnel in the area. Extensive search and cordon operations were initiated in an effort to apprehend the culprits responsible for the bloodshed.

The victims were identified as members of the Kuki-Zo community, further fueling tensions in the region. The Committee of Tribal Unity (COTU), a prominent civil society organization, swiftly condemned the attack, expressing their condolences and calling for peace.

This unfortunate incident follows another outbreak of violence in the Pallel area on September 8, which resulted in three fatalities and left over 50 civilians injured. The Indigenous Tribal Leaders’ Forum (ITLF) attributed this attack to Meitei gunmen wearing military combat uniforms, who reportedly initiated the firing from a nearby hill. In response, village guards and India Reserve Battalion (IRB) personnel stationed in the vicinity engaged the militants in a firefight.

The consecutive incidents of violence have left the region on edge, with residents and local authorities alike urging for calm and a swift resolution to the ongoing conflicts that threaten peace and stability in Manipur's Kangpokpi district.